not just a shop
Managed by UAL’s Careers and Employability team, not just a shop exists to support students who want to run their own product-based businesses by teaching them about working with retailers.
We operate a not-for-profit model, so all proceeds are reinvested back into running the shop and supporting students and graduates from all UAL Colleges with their businesses.
We exclusively sell design products and artwork created by UAL students and graduates.
How can not just a shop help me?
not just a shop is an enterprise learning space, which mirrors the practices of retailers and galleries to provide students with realistic commercial experience.
Engaging with it can help you to learn about all aspects of running a product-based business, including market readiness, pricing and branding.
If you are interested in selling your products or artwork in not just a shop, we strongly recommend you visit us first to see the space.
Contact
Get in touch: notjustashop@arts.ac.uk
Design products
Students and graduates from all UAL Colleges can submit work to be considered for sale in not just a shop. We run open calls 2 times a year, and new products are selected by a panel made up of UAL staff, students and industry. We purchase products up-front at a wholesale price, so there is no financial risk to you if your products don’t sell.
We currently sell:
- Stationery
- Accessories
- Souvenirs
- Homeware
- Artworks and prints
- Jewellery
- Gifts
- Ceramics
- Games and toys
- Small furniture items
- Beauty and wellbeing products.
Find out more and view the next product deadline.
Fine art
Selected pieces are displayed for sale in-store for 3 months. Due to the high value of some pieces, fine art is accepted on a sale or return basis.
By exhibiting and selling art in not just a shop, we aim to teach UAL’s emerging artists about best practice when engaging with commercial galleries. As part of this, we take 30% of the wall price in commission for any pieces sold and ask all artists to sign a clear and fair contract. Selected pieces are displayed for sale in-store for three months. Due to the high value of some pieces, fine art is accepted on a sale or return basis. This means the work is on loan to not just a shop, and if unsold at the end of the three months it will be returned to you. Please apply via Route 2.
We currently exhibit:
- Paintings/drawings/original 2D pieces
- Limited-edition prints (editions of 25 or less)
- Photographs
- Sculptures
- Textiles
Due to the limited wall space available and size of the shop, we are currently unable to accept very large-scale pieces.
Support for your business or creative practice
The Careers and Employability team supports UAL students and graduates to make a living doing what they love. As part of this, all of the proceeds from not just a shop are reinvested back into supporting students with their businesses.
Activities include:
- Events about business and freelancing
- Awards and funding
- One-to-ones
- Online resources
- Competitions to get your designs manufactured
- Live briefs within the curriculum
- Supporting student groups with projects and final year fundraising.
Meet the team
Natalie Stevens, not just a shop Manager
I oversee not just a shop’s retail operations including buying, visual merchandising, staffing and management of the space. I also run student engagement projects such as competitions, internships, open call applications, product commissions, external pop-up shops and special projects. Contact me at: notjustashop@arts.ac.uk
Clio Delcour-Min, Retail and Student Engagement Coordinator
I’m responsible for the day-to-day running of not just a shop, including taking sales, stock control, and maintaining and updating displays. I also support student facing opportunities such as competitions, live briefs and open calls, and provide support to our current sellers. Contact me at: notjustashop@arts.ac.uk
Eleanor Binns, E-commerce Coordinator
My role centres around managing our online shop. This includes adding new products, updating images, writing content and shipping orders. You’ll also find me helping out in our shop in High Holborn during the week. Contact me at: notjustashop@arts.ac.uk
Get involved
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not just a shop products 2021. Photo by Yeshen Venema
Sell your work
Want to sell your work in not just a shop? Find out more about our open calls and apply online.
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Yeshen Venema,
See our latest competitions
Find out about our currnet and upcoming competitions and live briefs for more information about how you can get involved with not just a shop.
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Image by Damian Griffiths
Events
As part of the Careers and Employability team, we offer events designed to help you get retail ready.
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Becky Moriarty at Camberwell. Photo by Alys Tomlinson
Costing and pricing your work
Read our advice on how to cost and price your work (PDF 435KB).
Meet our makers
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Abigail Ajobi
Abigail Ajobi
BA Fashion Design Technology: Menswear, London College of Fashion
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Alessandro Fiorentino from Dorsoscoperto
Alessandro Fiorentino, Dorsoscoperto
MA Interaction Design, London College of Communication
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Yuta Segawa
Yuta Segawa
MA Designer Maker, Camberwell College of Art
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Saffie Pluck
Saffie Pluck, Pluck’d Designs
BA Product Design, Central Saint Martins
What's on
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Student Career One-to-Ones
Join us to explore how we can support you to make a living doing what you love.
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Graduate career one-to-ones
Book a 20 minute appointment to discuss your next steps in your professional practice
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Career Wellbeing One-to-Ones
This drop in one-to-one service is exclusively for current UAL BA, Graduate Diploma, MA, and PhD students.
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Get ready to sell - Make money by commercialising your work
Want to find out about how to sell your product? Join this online session to learn about making money by commercialising your product.
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